This is gonna probably sound way cliched, but I know it is never easy to lose a pet - I even get a bit choked up over fish dying, especially if I've had them a long time. I've lost 4 furbabies in my lifetime, and that doesn't even count all of my grandparent's farm cats that "ran away" when I was little (of course, the whole 'running away' thing softened the blow a little bit, but they were still gone). Because I am not having kids, they become even more a part of my and Tom's family, and it is just as hard whenever their time is up, regardless of how long they have been with us. Losing Bumper was very difficult for both of us, and even after two years or so, we both still miss her. I obviously don't know you super well, but I'm going to guess that your family is the sort that would make an awesome life for any pet - I'm sure your pup had a wonderful life.
She was pretty pampered until she lost bladder control and then we started keeping her in the garage. she had worn down most of her teeth by the time we took her to the vet. It is amazing to think those old jaws of hers would crush the turkey carcass every year after the thanksgiving meal. The hubby would always give her whatever fell off the grill when he was bar-b-que'n. I swear sometimes he would just say it fell off the grill! We fed her well and she liked to eat.
I know that Buddhism says's life is about suffering, but I just can't allow my pets to experience life that way...
Well, someone might say that she was "suffering" because she was not human and therefore unable to practice the dharma...but you know, I kinda roll my eyes at that a little bit - I think that as long as pets bring us joy, they are in perfect harmony with the dharma - they're being the best pets they can be, and in their own perfect nature. I believe that all pets eventually make their way to a favorable rebirth, if such a thing exists. :) And I think it is fine to make sure your pet passes with the most dignity you can bring them; I know that a lot of people might think it is "un-Buddhist" to have them put to sleep, but I think that is actually compassion, to make sure that they DON'T suffer, because of course, they have no capacity to really and truly stop the suffering themselves. Sorry if this sounds disjointed; I'm a bit freakish in the head today, being sick is just taking its toll on me. :/
Indeed. :) I mean, we can put a band-aid on or go to the doctor; animals don't have the capacity to tell us when they're hurting, and they cannot fix it themselves. All they know is that they hurt, and they look to us for assistance (pets, of course, not the wild ones).
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she had worn down most of her teeth by the time we took her to the vet. It is amazing to think those old jaws of hers would crush the turkey carcass every year after the thanksgiving meal. The hubby would always give her whatever fell off the grill when he was bar-b-que'n. I swear sometimes he would just say it fell off the grill! We fed her well and she liked to eat.
I know that Buddhism says's life is about suffering, but I just can't allow my pets to experience life that way...
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And I think it is fine to make sure your pet passes with the most dignity you can bring them; I know that a lot of people might think it is "un-Buddhist" to have them put to sleep, but I think that is actually compassion, to make sure that they DON'T suffer, because of course, they have no capacity to really and truly stop the suffering themselves. Sorry if this sounds disjointed; I'm a bit freakish in the head today, being sick is just taking its toll on me. :/
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I think animals can't really comprehend suffering and there for should be spared from it as much as possible.
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